SAMHSA

Sunday, June 9, 2002

Government Annual "Seal of Approval" Awarded to 25 Prevention Programs
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the names of 25 exemplary substance abuse prevention programs that received a government seal of approval for preventing and reducing illegal drug use, alcohol abuse and other risky behaviors in communities across America. The programs were selected after a rigorous scientific review of more than 200 substance abuse prevention programs.
"Our message today is that prevention is possible and that models of excellence are available," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "Communities across America should insist upon and work toward the same level of excellence. As a nation, we can settle for no less."
The 25 model programs will receive the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award and be listed in SAMHSA's National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs. The programs are part of SAMHSA's ongoing efforts to identify and disseminate information nationwide about science-based prevention programs that have demonstrated consistently positive results.
SAMHSA will also honor five other promising programs. These five are being recognized as innovative, community-based promising programs that have shown preliminary results in preventing youth from engaging in the use of alcohol and illicit drugs. Promising programs are nominated by state agencies and national organizations and are selected in collaboration with the National Association of State Alcohol Drug Abuse Directors and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
White House Drug Czar John Walters said that "The model programs being recognized today are making important differences every day, where it matters most: our neighborhoods. Initiatives like these help galvanize local communities in the national effort to reduce substance abuse through sound, science-based prevention."
"Reducing risk for destructive behaviors and increasing opportunities for safe passage to adulthood are possible when communities embrace science-based prevention programs for young people," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A. We are allocating funds and forming partnerships with national, state, and grass-roots organizations to help bring about the use of model programs nationwide."
"We are very pleased that SAMHSA recognizes, as we do, the need to reach kids at a young age, and the community and family involvement essential to keep them substance free. SAMHSA and CASA also share a recognition of the importance of continually measuring outcomes to assure the maximum return on every dollar invested," said Joseph A. Califano Jr., president of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, which was honored for its CASASTART program in New York City. "A child who reaches age 21 without using drugs, smoking cigarettes or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so."
It is exciting to see the life-changing impact these model programs have had in their communities," said Ruth Sanchez-Way, Ph.D., Director of SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. "Today these programs are being honored for their efforts and their ability to have a positive impact, not only in their community, but in other communities nationwide."
"Science has taught us a tremendous amount about the factors involved in the initiation and escalation of drug use and some of the best ways to prevent it. The ultimate worth of science lies in the extent to which it is useful and used. NIDA looks forward to working closely with SAMHSA and others to determine the most effective ways to implement these programs in the communities that need them," said NIDA Acting Director Glen R. Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S.
"The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism conducts and supports research for two essential reasons: to understand the causes of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol-related problems and to develop new and improved strategies to treat and prevent them," said NIAAA Acting Director Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. "We are most gratified when research-based programs are put to work to improve lives and communities."
At a formal awards luncheon today, SAMHSA, in partnership with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), the National Prevention Network (NPN) and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), presented the winning programs with the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Award.
Over 3 years of designating model programs, 662 programs have been reviewed and 41 have been enrolled in SAMHSA's National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs. The model program designation is based on criteria including that the program utilize scientifically rigorous evaluations and achieve consistently positive outcomes.
SAMHSA's National Dissemination System identifies model programs, provides training and technical assistance and works with states, localities and the private sector to ensure effective implementation. Community leaders and interested organizations can access information on model programs and services available at www.modelprograms.samhsa.gov.
The 25 model programs from around the nation to receive the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award are:
AIDS Community Development Project/Community PROMISE) [Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Long Beach, CA; New York, NY; and Seattle, WA]
BASICS - Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students [Seattle, WA]
Be Proud! Be Responsible! [Philadelphia, PA]
Border Binge-Drinking Project [Calverton, MD; and National City, CA]
CASASTART [New York, NY]
Challenging College Alcohol Abuse [Tucson, AZ]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Child Sexual Abuse [Stratford, NJ]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Child Traumatic Stress [Pittsburgh, PA]
Families and Schools Together (FAST) [Madison, WI]
Family Development Research Project [Syracuse, NY]
Family Matters [Chapel Hill, NC]
Girls Incorporated Friendly PEERsuasion [Indianapolis, IN]
Good Behavior Game [Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC]
High/Scope Perry Preschool Project [Ypsilanti, MI]
Houston Parent-Child Development Program [Taos, NM]
Mpowerment Project [San Francisco, CA]
Parenting Wisely [Athens, Ohio]
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD [Philadelphia, PA]
Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) [South Deerfield, MA]
Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways (RIPP) [Richmond, VA]
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program [Calabasas, CA]
Second Step [Seattle, WA]
Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescence [Newark, OH]
Team Awareness [Fort Worth, TX]
Too Good For Drugs [Tampa, FL]
The five promising programs from around the nation to receive the 2001 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award are: Cradle Rockers, Tyler, TX; Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, Albany, NY; Parents Who Host, Lose The Most, Columbus, OH; Peers Making Peace, Richardson, TX; Project Venture, Gallup, NM.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States. Information on SAMHSA's programs is available on the Internet at www.samhsa.gov.